I Can't Drive 55!!!

We interrupt this blog for a quick announcement:

WOOT! WOOT!!

Extreme Weight Loss

Do you want the TV show "Extreme Weight Loss" on ABC? I do ... Never been a fan of "weight loss shows" or competition shows like this. I get my undies all in a bundle when they start talking about eating habits, etc. But, what I love about this show is that it doesn't focus on the process but rather the journey. The transformation which takes place on that journey. The road blocks that one must overcome to truly make a transformation.

I watched it last night and Bob Brenner, Waukesha County (Wis) Detective, take his journey from nearly 450 pounds to a true transformation. Yes, he lost a ton of weight - over 200 pounds. But he transformed his life, his journey, his relationship with his wife & with food, his faith in God and, lastly, his job.

I have the pleasure of living in the same state of Bob Brenner and there is so much media coverage right now on his transformation. This morning, on the newscast, there was an interview with him and his wife. He said something which resonated so deeply inside of me.

 He said he realized, with the coaching of Mr. Powell, that personal integrity is key. It's setting out what you say you're going to do because you OWE IT TO YOURSELF! My husband refers to his [late] father's comments when doing business: No matter what, you always have your word. Lose that, you lose everything. And, how you use your words & match your actions to your words ... that, my friends, is INTEGRITY.

• Looking in the mirror & having an honest conversation about what needs to change.


• Understand that transformations start small ... one change at a time.


• Determine what is your primary goal: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!

 I'm going to quit smoking. Go to bed earlier. Study for that big test. Lose 20 pounds. Eat better. Drink less. Save more money.

 Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ....

 Where to begin?

Two big events the past two weeks for me: First, I've been really sick lately (bacterial lung infection - basically, bronchitis) and went to the doctor's office twice within a 7-day period. The nurses & staff there hadn't seen me in months - mainly because we've been so dang healthy (jinx - I know!!!). And, the second, was back to school & seeing all the kids/families we haven't seen all summer.

I have yet to make it in/out of school without being stopped by someone ... And, I had a conversation with at least half of the nursing staff at my clinic.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? You look amazing!"

Minus 47# (8/19/13)

Here's what I say to people - after I give a really high level overview of my Paleo life (that's usually where the eyes glaze over and I get this look staring back at me as if I've gone to another planet).

You need to find what works for YOU. Our bodies are not one size fits all & there's no way that a diet is one size fits all. But, what I can say is that you need to treat your body the way God intended it to be treated. Eat healthy, real food. Stop the drive-thru and takeout meals!! Know where your food is coming from and prepare it in simple, easy recipes. Plan what you can ahead of time. And, keep your body moving. Don't slow down - don't stop. When we stop, we lose all momentum and that's just not good. Go for a short walk even if it's at the mall window shopping or down to your local downtown square. Jump in the pool with the kids. Grab those cans of tomatoes out of the cupboard & do a few arm curls during commercial breaks of your favorite TV show. Listen to your body. Get to know its rhythms, its movements, its likes & dislikes.

Break it down into small pieces - give yourself small victories. Make them attainable. (Sorry but I refuse to into the whole SMART goal thing!) Reward yourself for it. And, remember: YOU ARE YOUR WORD.

If you want to adapt a new habit, start small. Give up diet soda? OK, when you open the next can, throw out a few ounces before you start. (YES - BEFORE!!) This will send a signal to your brain that you don't need it. You'll still get the soda but not so much. Gradually do this until, well, you guessed it ... til you don't drink it anymore.

Trust me - it works! There's a science behind all of it but since I'm not a scientist, I don't want to get into trouble trying to explain it. Maybe another time...

So, my friend... Go BE WELL ... Be HAPPY ... Be TRUE TO YOURSELF!!

Oh, and need some inspiration? Watch Bob Brenner's amazing TRANSFORMATION on Extreme Weight Loss!